Railway signaling.



H. A. WALLACE.

RAILWAY SIGNALING.

APPLICATION FILED IuIIE23. 19m.

Patented @1123, 1917.

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H.A.WALLACE RAILWAY SIGNALING.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23L19|4.

Patented Jan. 23, 1917.

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HERBERT A. WALLACE, OF NEW YORK, N.

Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH &

SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

RAILWAY SIGNALING.

Application filed June 23, 1914.

My invention relates to railway signaling,

and to relays adapted for use in railway signaling systems.

I will describe one form of relay embodying my invention and certain forms of signaling systems comprising such relay, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

Figure 1 is a view showing one form of relay embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are diagrammatic views showing two forms of signaling systems also embodying my invention and comprising relays of the type shown in Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the relay here shown comprises a top plate 19, and abase 20, which parts are separated by a glass cylinder 81, the three parts being held together by screws 77. Mounted 011 the top plate 19 is a magnet 51, -having pole-pieces 7 9 and 76 shaped substantially as shown. This magnet may be of any suitable type; as here shown it is a permanent magnet. Pivotally mounted between the pole-pieces, is an armature 52 having a winding 78. An arm 70 is rigidly fastened to the armature, and pivotally connected to this arm is a downwardly extending link 53, which in turn is pivotally connected with a rocker arm 54L which is pivotally mounted at 55 in a lug 75. Pivotally mounted also on this lug at points 56 and 57 are two arms 58 and 59, which arms carry counter-weights 60 and 61 andcontact fingers 62, 63, 6% and 65. As here shown, the fingers 65 and 63 are adapted to engage with contacts 68 and 69 respectively, which in turn are supported by studs 82 and Y mounted in the top plate 19. Fingers 62 and 641 which are carried by arms 58 and 59, are adapted to make contact with blocks 71 and 7 2 respectively, which blocks are also mounted-in the top plate 19. Contact arms 58 and 59 are electrically connected with posts 83 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Jan. 25, 1917.

Serial N0. 346,730.

and 8% respectively by wires 73 and 74, which posts are also mounted in top plate 19.

The downward movement of arms 59 and 58 is, as here shown, limited by stops 66 and 67 respectively, but since the contact fingers 65 and 63 rest on contacts 68 and 69 when the arms are down, these contacts may be employed as stops if desired, in which case stops 66 and 67 may be omitted.

It is understood that the arms 59 and 58 and the contacts operated thereby may be duplicated, all of the arms extending to the left of standard 7 5 being actuated by arm 51 in the same manner as is arm 59, and'all of those extending to the right being actuated as 18 arm 58.

lVhen armature 52 is deenergized, counterweights 60 and 61 hold the arms 58 and 59 in such positions that they rest on stops 67 and 66, as shown, in which position contact fingers 63 and 65 engage with contacts 69 and 68 respectively.

lVhen winding 78 is supplied with current of such polarity as to cause armature 52 to rotate in the direction of arrow 89, arm 70, which is rigidly fixed to the armature 52 will move with the armature and cause arm to move upwardly, thus causing arm 54 to rotate in such direction as to raise arm 58, thus bringing contact finger 62 into engagement with block 71 and raising finger 63 out ofengagement with contact 69.

\Vhen the polarity of the current in winding 78 is reversed, armature 52 will rotate in the direction of arrow 80, thereby moving link 53 downwardly. Arm 53 then retates about point 55, as has been previously explained, but in the opposite direction, thus raising arm 59 so that finger 64: engages block 72 and finger 65 leaves contact 68. It will be seen, therefore, that one or the other of fingers 58, 59 is raised, according as armature 52 swings in one direction or the other.

. Referring now to Fig. 2, I have here shown a stretch of railway track which is divided into successive blocks AB, B-C, etc., the traclcrails of the adjacent blocks being electrically separated by insulated joints 1. The block B-C is, as here shown, divided into two sections B-b, Z C, this division being likewise accomplished by in sulated joints 1. Each block and each section of block BC is provided with a track circuit comprising as usual a source of current 2 and a relay R R R etc. The relay R" for section Z)C controls the supply of current to the track circuit for section B -l), as hereinafter explained.

Adjacent the entrance ends of the blocks are railway signals S S and S etc, each adapted to indicate danger, caution and clear; as here shown, each of these signals comprises a home arm 36 and a distant arm 3?, although one-arm, three-position signals may be er l y well employed. These signals are controlled by the track relays R, l? and 11, etc. The home arm of each signal operates a pole-changer 5 which reverses the polarity of the current supplied to the rails of the tracl: section in the rear by the adjacent source 2.

Each relay E R and comprises two independently movable sets of contacts and may, for example, be similar to the relay shown in Fig. l and explained hereinbetore. As here shown, oneof these sets of contacts comprises only one contact 23, and the other set comprises contacts 21 and The circuit for the caution indication of signal S is from battery 38, through wire 29, contact finger 23, wires 28 and 27, controlling mechanism for the home arm 36, wire to bat tery 38. A shunt around contact is formed by contact 21 and wire 90. The circuit for the clear indication is from battery 38, through wire 29, contact finger 21, wire 31, contact finger 22, wire 30, controlling mechanism for arm 37, wire 26 to be tery 38. It will be seen, therefore, that when contact finger 23 is closed and contact fingers 21 and 22 are open, the signal indicates caution, and that when contact fingers 21 and 22 are closed and contact finger 23 is opened, the signal indicates clear; also, when all contacts are open, that is, when the relay is deenergized, the signal indicates danger.

The relay R for section o-C, is similar to the signal controlling relays, except that each set of contacts comprises two contacts which serve to reversibly connectbattery 2 with the rails 32 and 33 of section Bb. When the relay contacts are in the position shown, current flows from the positive side of battery 2, through wire 15, contact finger 14:, wire rail 32, wire 35, winding of relay R wire 34:, rail 33, through wire 8, contact finger 13, wire 17 to the negative side of battery 2. lVhen the direction of current through the winding of relay R is reversed, contact fingers 11 and 12 close and contact fingers l3 and it open, thereby connecting the positive terminal. of battery 2 with rail 33 and the negative terminal with rail 32, the connections for this latter arrangement being obvious from the drawing. The operation of the apparatus herein shown, is as follows: Inasmuch as section C-c is occupied by a train T, relay R is deenergized so that signal S indicates danger. The pole-changer 5 operated by the signal is then in the position shown so that relay R is energized in such direction that contact fingers 13 and H are closed and contact lingers 11 and 12 are open. The polarity of the current in the rails of section B-b is then such that contact finger 23 of relay R is closed and contact fingers 21 and 22 are open, so that signal S indicates caution. The pole-changer 5 of signal S is therefore in the position shown, so that relay R is energized in such direction that signal S indicates clear. As the train '1 proceeds beyond section Cc, it deenergizes relay R, which relay in turn causes relay B to be deener 'izcd, so that signal S continues to in dicate danger. The operation of the appa ratus as the train leaves the block controlled by signal will be obvious and need not be explained.

Referring now to Fig. 3, l have here shown a plurality of successive blocks iii-B, B C, etc., each of which is divided into two sections, the track rails of each section be ing electrically isolated by insulated joints 1. For each section I proyide a track circuit comprising the rails of the section, a battery 2, and a relay R R, R etc., each of which relays isresponsiye to reversals of current and comprises two independently movable sets of contacts, and may for example be similar to the relay shown in Fig. 1 and described hereinbefore.

Located adjacent the entrance ends of the blocks are signals S S etc., each of which is controlled by the relay for the first section of the corresponding block, and each of which, as here shown, is adapted to indicate only clear and danger. In this modification the pole-changers operated by the signals are omitted, and the contacts of the track relay for the first section of each block are employed to control the polarity of the current supplied to the track rails of the sec tion in the rear.

The circuit which controls signal S is from one side of battery 38 through contact finger 4-2 of relay R wire 27, signal S back to the other side of battery 38. The circuit for each of the other signals is similar to the circuit justtraccd for si nal S. It will be seen, therefore, that each signal indicates clear when the adjacent relay is energized in one direction, and stop when the relay is energized in the other direction or is deenergized.

The control of the connection of battery 2 for section 1 )-C with the track rails of that section by relay R is as follows: lVhen all contact fingers of relay R are down battery 2 is connected with the rails of section Z)C in one direction, the circuit being from one side of battery 2, through wire 18, back point of contact finger 4, wire 3, back point a kill of contact finger 21, wire 8, rail 9, wire 3%, relay R wire rail 88, wire 85, back point of contact finger 87, back point of contact finger 16, wire 25, to the other side of battery 2. If, however, either set of contact fingers is picked up, the polarity of the track circuit in the rear is reversed, as will be clearly seen. The control of battery 2 for sect-ion a-B-by relay R is the same as just explained for section c-C.

Battery 2 for section 13-?) is controlled by the contact fingers of relay-R ith relay R" energized in one direction, contact fingers 13 and 1th will be picked up and fingers 11 and 12 down, as shown, and battery 2 will be connected with the section BZ) in one direction, the circuit being from one side of battery 2, through wire 86, contact finger 13, wire 8, rail wire 34, winding of relay R.'\vi1'e 35, rail 32, wire 85, contact finger 1%, wire back to the other side of battery 2. \Vhen relay R is energized in the other direction contact fingers 12 and 11 will be picked up and contact fingers 13 and 1 1 will be down. The connection of the battery ith the rails will then be reversed, the circuit being from one side of battery 2 through the front point of contact finger 12, wire 85, rail 32, wire 35, winding of relay R wire 34, rail 33, wire 8, front point of contact finger 11, wire 50, back to the other side of battery. Batteries 2 which energize track sections Aa and C@ are controlled in a similar manner by relays R and E V hen a train T is occupying the section Cc, relay R is deenergized so that all of its contact fingers are down, so that signal S indicates danger. Relay R is'then so energized that contact fingers 13 and 14: are picked up and contact fingers 11 and 12 are down. \Vith the fingers of relay R in this position, the current from battery 2 which energizes track section BZ) and relay R is in such direction as to cause contact fingers of relay R to assume the positions shown so that signal S also indicates danger. The polarity of the current in track section aB is then the reverse of that in section ?)C, so that fingers 11 and 12 of relay R are closed and fingers 13 and let are open. Relay R is therefore energized in such direction that signal S indicates clear.

lVhen train T proceeds beyond section (3-0, relay R will be deenergized, so that all of its contact fingers will drop. Relay R will therefore continue to be deenergized, so that there will be no change as to the signals shown. lVhen however the train passes out of the track circuit to which relay R is connected, this relay will become energized in such direction that its left hand contacts will close. Relay R will then be energized in such direction as to cause contact fingers 23, ST and 4 to pick up, but contact fingers 12, 21, 22 and 16 will still be down, so that signal S will still indicate danger. The polarity of the current which energizes bC will then be in such direction as to ease contact fingers 12 andll of relay R to be picked up, and contact fingers 13 and 111 to drop away, thereby reversing the polarity of the current which energizes relay R, so that contacts l2, 21, 22 and 16 will become picked up and signal S will indicate clear.

Although I have herein shown only one form of relay embodying my invention and a few forms of signal systems embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a plu 'ality of successire block sections, a signal for each block section adapted to indicate danger, caution and clear, track circuits for the block sections each including a track relay, each track relay comprising a movable member capable of amiddle position and movable in opposite directions therefrom in response to reversals of current in the relay, each relay comprising two independently movable sets of contacts one of which is closed when said member moves in one direction from its middle position and the other of which is closed when the member moves in the other direction from its'middle position, a caution indication circuit for each signal controlled by one of said sets of contacts of the relay forthe corresponding block section, and a clear indication circuit for each signal controlled by the other set of contacts of the relay for the corresponding block section, and a pole-changer operated by each signal for reversing the polarity of the track circuit in the rear.

2. In combination, a signal adapted to indicate danger, caution and clear, a relay for said signal and comprising a member having a middle position and capable of movements in opposite directions from said middle position, said relay also comprising two inclependently movable sets of contacts one or the other of which sets is closed according as said member moves in one direction or the other from its middle position, a caution indication circuit for said signal controlled by one of said sets of contacts, and a clear indication circuit for said signal controlled by the other of said sets of contacts.

3. In combination, two successive sections of a railway track, a track circuit for each section including a source of current and a relay, each relay being responsive to reversals of current, the relay for the forward section comprising two sets of contacts one or the other of which sets is closed according as the relay is energized in one direction or the other and both of which sets are opened whenever the relay is deinergized, said contacts operating to reversibly connect the rails of the rear section with the corresponding source of current according as the relay is energized in one direction or the other, means for reversing the polarity of the track circuit for the forward section, and a signal controlled by the relay for the rear section.

at. In combination, two successive sections of a railway track, a source of current and a relay for each section, each relay being responsii'e to reversals of current, the relay for the forward section coinpi'sing a member having a middle deenergized position and capable of movements in opposite di rections therefrom according as the relay is energized in one direction or the other, said relay also comprising two independently movable sets of contacts one or the other of which is closed according as the said member moves in one direction or the cthert'rom its middle position, and both of which are opened when the member occupies th middle position, said contacts operating to reversibly connect the rails of the rear sec tion with the source of current for that sec tion according as one set or the other is closed, means for reversibly connecting the rails of the forward section with the source of current for that section, and a signal controlled by the relay for the rear section.

In combination, a signal adapted to indicate danger, caution and clear, a relay com-prising two independently movable sets or contacts one or the other of which sets is closed according as the relay is energized in one direction or the other and both of which sets are open when the relay is deenergized, a caution indication circuit for said signal controlled by one of said sets of contacts, and a clear indication circuit for said signal controlled by the other set.

6. In combination, a signal adaptedto indicate danger,- caution and clear, a relay comprising two independently movable sets 01": contacts one or the other of which sets is closed according as the relay is energized in one direction or the other and both of which sets are open when the relay is deenergized, means controlled by one of said sets 01'? contacts when closed for causing said signal to indicate caution, and means controlled by the other set when closed for causing said signal to indicate clear.

In testimony whereof: I my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HERBERT A. WALLACE.

lVitnesses:

A. L. VENCILL,

S. KIRTLAND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

